What next for Labour

Friends. There is a SLP propaganda circulating by bb which suggest that the Government has retracted on an earlier Cabinet Conclusion granting concessions until January 31st, 2011. Please note that this rumour is TOTALLY UNTRUE and is reflective of naked desparation. Find attached copy of Press Statement dated October 19th, 2011 and related Cabinet Conclusion. SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!
October 19th, 2011
PRESS RELEASE

Cabinet Grants Concessions on Barrels for Festive Season
The public is informed that the Cabinet of Ministers at a meeting dated, 17th, October, 2011,
approved the granting of Duty Free Concessions on the importation of Barrels for the traditional
festive season. The following are the conditions agreed to by the Cabinet of Ministers:
1. 100% Waiver of Import Duty and Consumption Tax on unsolicited personal
items, food, clothing and toys contained in barrels imported between 1st
November, 2011 and 31st January, 2012. Electronic items are explicitly
excluded;
2. The number of barrels that would qualify for the concessions would be limited to
two (2) per household;
3. There would be an upper limit of EC$2,000.00 per barrel on the value of items
qualifying for the concessions;
4. The items identified in one (1) above must be for personal use only, and not for
commercial use; and
5. The usual penalties, fines, etc. would be applied if the goods are used for
commercial purposes.
The granting of concessions on “Christmas Barrels” is a usual gesture of goodwill by
Government at this time of year. The concessions are designed to bring relief ahead of the festive
season. Government hopes that the extension of these concessions at this time will help to bring
joy to St. Lucian families based in our nation and in the Diaspora.

THE POWER OF WE

A re-elected United Workers Party administration will move purposefully to ensure that good governance becomes a way of life for all political parties in government.

The commitment surfaced Sunday night as Prime Minister Stephenson King presented the Party’s 2011 Manifesto to a record breaking crowd at Beausejour:

“Protecting our relatively young democracy involves much more than enforcing the rules concerning the security of property and the well-being of the individual. It includes no less than providing the good governance required to ensure that all Saint Lucians continue to enjoy the freedom to exercise their God given talents.

A new UWP Administration will continue to be guided by the principles of upholding the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in our constitution, ensuring the separation of powers, maintaining the complete independence of the judiciary and upholding the rule of law. During the last seven years, millions of dollars have been spent on a Constitution Reform Exercise. The UWP looks forward to receiving the report of that Commission very early in the life of the new administration.

Our legislative agenda will be geared towards facilitating the conduct of good governance in our society. A governance record that has been validated by Transparency International which ranked Saint Lucia number two in the Caribbean since 2007 and number twenty-two in the world

To achieve Our Goal, a UWP Government will:

- Engage the population in the widest possible consultation on the report of the Constitution Reform Commission, with a view to determining the way forward

- Continue to pursue the enactment of legislation geared towards strengthening accountability of public officials, thereby lessening the possibility of acts of maladministration and abuse as identified by the Ramsahoye Commission

- Enact legislation to strengthen Financial Administration of the Public Service and accountability in the use of public funds

- Enact legislation for the creation of a Council on Social Reform

- Undertake a comprehensive review of the Laws of Saint Lucia

- Take steps to ensure a review of the constituency boundaries in order to facilitate a more rational and equitable system of representation

- Encourage consensus building by facilitating exchange of ideas on governance and development through the use of technology by extending the e-Government Programme to local communities

King: SLP clueless about good governance

Five years after it was rejected by the people of St Lucia for a host of governance failures, there is no indication that the St Lucia Labour Party is willing to change in the public interest.
That’s the view of Prime Minister Stephenson King. He told the nation in this week’s edition of the performance review series “At Your Service”, the Labour Party remains unrepentant in the habit of ignoring the responsibility to uphold the good and just governance of the country:
“In other words the public should expect nothing else from Kenny Anthony and company but the usual business of defending the indefensible:

- Cost overruns on road projects amounting to 130 million dollars.
- 40 million dollars of taxpayers’ money to bailout Rochamel - a private company in which the Government and people have no shares.
- Millions of dollars of public money at NCA siphoned into the pockets of Labour Party cronies.
- Mismanagement of the economy.
- Inability to develop tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and other aspects of the growth engine.
- Record unemployment in the best years of the global economy.
- Embracing the Chinese policy of using development projects in St Lucia to employ their nationals while St Lucians remained unemployed.
- Dismissal of Senators seeking answers from Kenny Anthony about his bailout of Helen Air.
- Dismissal of an MP and Minister of Government for exercising the democratic right to stand on her religious belief and criticize a Kenny Anthony administration bill seeking to legalize abortion.
- Attacks on freedom of expression, referring to media workers as terrorist.
- Targeting public servants alleged to be leaking Government information to the media.

“Through all of these acts of unacceptable leadership conduct in a civilized society, Kenny Anthony operated without a clue as to what was required of him as someone sworn to uphold the good and just governance of St Lucia.

“Today, on the hunt for votes, he has the unmitigated gall to pontificate about what is and what is not good governance; and why he believes he was born with an entitlement to lead St Lucia”.

DID SON SPEAK OUT TO DAD FOR SUPPORT?

Like you did not know? The writing has been on the wall for a long time and it is only during the last twelve days before election that Lorne has finally realized that he does not stand a snowball chance in hell to win this Choiseul seat come this November 28,2011.
What does he revert to? He comes back home like the prodigal son,cries at his father's feet and beg for support and assistance. Like any responsible and loving dad would do he accedes to Lorne' request.As of the past weekend dad was in the field campaigning to get Lorne elected. Mr. Theophilus is a well known and successful Choiseulian and my mentor when it comes to cricket.He was the the one was responsible for my success in the game. thanks for that.

But my arguement with this gentleman is that deep in his heart he knows and feels that labour is not a government for the people. There again we have a gentleman who's only motive is to see his son win at any cost to the people of Choiseul. I also know that he does not like the best bone in Rufus. But is he so myopic as not to realize the change Choiseul has gone through during the past five years?
I can imagine the pain he must be going through to do what he is doing, knowing very well that his heart is not in it.

The labour party is clearly showing their desperation now. The "big guns" are back. but you can guess why. To make labour lose faster.
Ernest, Felix and Tennyson are all back to get get their ministerial position in case labour wins.

Ernest has made a mess of West Indies cricket and according to a recent facebook post, "Hilaire must go." Felix has left a legacy of cost overruns which this country continues to pay for. Tennyson the disapperer suddenly reappears after five years. To do what? Overshadow Lorne? Do these guys think that Choiseulians are daft?
Lorne and the labour party will learn what feels to innately be taking the people for a ride.

Recently, the news making the round is that if labour wins, Kenny proposes to make this country a republic and make himself president for life.
CHOISEULIANS BEWARE! LUCIANS, WATCH YOUR BREAD!

The Campaign Train Gave Saltibus A Treat

Last week Wednesday Bousquet's campaign train held a public meeting in Saltibus. Hundreds of persons from Saltibus were present inspite of the inclemency of the weather.
The meeting was chaired by veteran and ex-district rep. bryan charles who to my mind was fantastic. He at all times introduced each speaker with a little background rap and on completion of each speaker's contribution highlighted the main points.

New speaker to the fold Chelidonia was dynamic as she took the receptive crowd down memory lane of what poor and good representation is all about.
She spared no time in relating to the avalanche of works done in her La Maze community as compared to the poor representation by Forgetus John.

Lambert, Anison, Karl and Wacha were the other speakers that provided food for thought on the good and impressive representation by Rufus Bousquet.

While Collymore under the shelter of and umbrella continued to film the event a bamboo flambeau kept on burning at the from of the podium.( not even the persistent drizzle could extinguish this flame)

The moment the crowd was waiting for had arrived. Bousquetwas introduced by the chairman and amidst a thunderous applause the rep rose to address the massive crowd.Silence gripped the atmosphere as bousquet stood at the podium, all smiles and probably pondering over his opening statement. "Es ou paway?" echoed over the speakers, "wee" the crowd responded.A repeat of the question was again poised and this time my eardrum hissed. Saltibus was ready to return Bousquet for another well deserved term.
Bousquet a seasoned and shrewd politition that he is kept the crow all hyped up.

By this time he was all sweating and wet as as he kept on firing on all four cylinders. He mentioned his completed projects in the constituency and the poor representation of the past rep.
He made his audience see why he is a better rep than Lorne can ever be. En passan Lorne's earlier allegged incident was mentioned and Bousquet emphasised that it was the same labour party that was condemning Lorne over the media and today he is dogging at their feet. It is only crumbs and left overs that Lorne will get if elected by the people Bousquet stressed.
Bousquet touched on numerous issues and his plan for the constituency in terms of employment for the youth, education, sports, and care for the elderly during his next term.

The meeting came to a close and the crowd was entertained by a local artist affectionately known as "Hank Williams" who performed a number of country and western songs.

Can Lorne Keep His Promises

If Lorne's leader continues to falter on his bugettal promises, what does this say about Lorne himself. Would he be able to deliver the goods.
Following are Kenny's unfulfilled 2000-2001 Budget promises.

2000-01 (Quotes from Budget)
“EC $666,000 for the establishment of a National Heroes Park”; This was never implemented

“1.0 million dollars for the establishment of a Youth Venture Capital Programme which I will elaborate on shortly”; “The Youth Venture Program will be administered by the Training and Employment Center. This Centre, announced in the 1999 Budget and in its final stages of implementation, will provide the applicants with the necessary skills required to set up and maintain their own small business venture”. Not sure if this was done.

“In the course of this financial year, it is proposed to initiate the construction of Tourism Marketing Outlets, in two pilot communities”. The Thomazo Market concept was designed and its construction managed by the Architectural Section of the Ministry of Finance and Planning. We were so pleased with their efforts at Thomazo, that they have been commissioned to design facilities to accommodate tourism marketing activities in several other communities around St Lucia. This project targets small ongoing commercial activities that are inadequately housed, such as production of local foods and crafts, and seeks to further diversify and enhance our tourism product. Designs are now substantially complete for facilities at Dennery, Vieux Fort, Anse La Verdue and Roseau”. The only project completed was in Dennery

“In response, the Government of St Lucia has seen it fit to finance the construction of sidewalks over a five-year span. An allocation of $250,000 was approved for the establishment of sidewalks to serve the communities of Faux–A-Chaux, Vieux Fort and Sans Souci. Sidewalks will be constructed along the Bexon Road as soon as the re-paving of the highway in that area is completed”. The only evidence of sidewalks is Faux-a-Chaux
“Mr Speaker, it would be impractical to provide bus shelters and public conveniences at every one of the nineteen bus stands in Castries. However, those bus stands are located in the vicinity of five focal areas. Therefore, it is proposed in this financial year to fund four new public conveniences at George the fifth Park, Jeremie Street, Manoel Street and High Street. The provision of new facilities and the upgrading of existing ones will cost around $645,000”. There is no evidence of these being done.

“Mr Speaker, the Government has decided to proceed with the design and construction of a bus terminal in Vieux Fort. A sum of 1.2 million dollars has been allocated in the capital estimates for this project. A terminal is also badly needed in Castries and during the course of this year we will continue our efforts to identify an appropriate site”. Not done.

“Some attention too, Mr Speaker, will be paid to our principal airport. During the coming fiscal year, most of the systems and services at Hewanorra Airport will be refurbished or replaced. These will include the air-conditioning system servicing the passenger lounges, the airport administration offices, the airline offices and other areas of the terminal. Much needed attention will be given to the passenger screening service, where new x-ray equipment will be installed”.
“Increased aircraft and passenger activities at that airport, along with the poor design and layout of the terminal building have resulted in congestion during peak periods. It is therefore necessary that any development or expansion of this airport be undertaken in accordance with a Master Plan. That plan will be prepared taking into consideration forecasted air traffic over the next ten to twenty years and the corresponding services be required to meet this demand. Overall, 6.5 million dollars will be spent on improving infrastructure and facilities at our airports. The projects include: ….. among other things a Master Plan – EC$500,000.00” Never implemented.
“A new Informatics Park will be constructed in the Vieux Fort Industrial Zone. This facility will provide employment opportunities in informatics, including telemarketing, for the hundreds of secondary school graduates in the South. An area measuring four (4) acres of land has been designated for the Informatics Park. A total of 20,000 sq feet of space will be constructed at an estimated cost of 3.0 million dollars.
More interestingly, progress has been achieved on the Government’s plan to establish Small Business Incubators. A total of 2.3 acres of land has been allocated in Odsan for the construction of a complex of five (5) buildings at a cost of 2.6 million dollars. This project fulfills, yet again, another commitment in the Contract of Faith”.
Not sure if this was done. Requires verification

Kenny's New Found Gimmicks And failed Budget Promises

Now that elections are near it may be time for us to reflect a little on Kenny's unfulfilled 98-99 Budget promises and his new gimmicks at trying to change his immage..
98-99 (Quotes from Budget)
Relocation of Mangue Residents. “Under the programme of Capital Expenditure, a sum of $500,000 has been allocated from local revenue to meet the cost of relocating those persons who would be affected by the construction of the new road. The proposals for relocation to the Southern Cantonement Area will be discussed with the residents in the next few weeks. Suffice it to say that the National Development Corporation has made land available for the relocation exercise”. Failed as the approach was too political.

Free Zone Concept. “The new approach involves the creation of a Goods Distribution Free Zone area which would function as a trans-shipment hub, facilitating the entry, free of inhibiting customs procedures, of containerized goods to be broken down and transshipped.
St Lucia’s geographical location is considered to be ideal for providing such a service targeted at neighboring states. Infrastructural development at Vieux Fort lends itself to this purpose.
It is intended that this development will:
1. Improve the containerized traffic throughput of the Vieux Fort Port, thereby contributing to the sustainability of its operations.
2. Create job opportunities within the south and in doing so; diffuse the concentration of job seekers in the north.
3. Generate business activities directly and ancillary to the operations of the Free Zone Area, such as banking services, freight forwarding services, etc.
4. Increase the passenger and freight throughput of the Hewanorra International Airport, improving the viability of its operations”. Concept has essentially failed and has collapsed.
Construction of Infant School in Vigier. “Today, one of the persistent requests of the Honourable gentleman will be granted – the construction of an Infant school in the community of Vigier to serve the cluster of communities in that area and to avert the disaster that he has so often feared of infants being swept away in the intersecting Vigier-Canelles river in their three to four mile trek to the Desruisseaux school. A provision of $250,000 in the estimates will enable the people of the community to realize their dream through self-help”. Not done. The “Honourable Gentleman” must be disappointed.

“The construction cost of Phase 3 of the Victoria Hospital rehabilitation is estimated at EC$31.2 million. This figure is exclusive of equipment and recurrent costs as well as fees for consultancy services”.
Human Resource Centre for Vieux Fort. “At this juncture Mr Speaker, I must pay homage to one of our local construction companies, B & D. This company had its roots in Vieux Fort. It has offered to fund from its resources, the Human Resource Development Centre for Vieux fort in the amount of $700,000. This is a magnificent gesture, a fine example of philantrophy in the corporate world”.
Day Care Centre for Fond St Jacques. “These are areas that have been identified as being socially depressed with high levels of unemployment. These areas are also characterized as having a predominance of female-headed households. In addition, EC$50,000 is allocated to the repair and rehabilitation of the Day Care Facility in Fond St Jacques”. Not done
Abattoir and Meat Processing. “Similar diagnostic analyses will be carried out for the other sub-sectors of the livestock industry, using the poultry sector study as a model. The focus will be on pigs, cattle and small ruminants, particularly goats, sheep and rabbits. These analyses are critical to the design of proposed abattoir facilities, which are essential for quality improvement and standardisation of product. For programming purposes, a provisional allocation is earmarked from STABEX 1995 funds for construction of modern abattoir facilities, designed to generate target outputs averaging 1000 tons of dressed meat per year”. Not done. Point to work on MPF.
Modernization of Marketing Board. “In order for the SLMB to adequately perform this role, it needs to be strengthened, and its relationships with key stakeholders comprehensively revisited and redefined. A policy decision has been taken that the optimal form of reorganization of the SLMB at this juncture is full commercialization, leading ultimately to privatization”. Failed.
Point to initiative of current Min. of Agric.
“The restructuring process, which has been defined through internal review, led by the Management and Board of the SLMB, in collaboration with Government, is guided by the following considerations:
(1) Estab of a system for collaboration with individual Farmers and Farmer Grps, Exporters, the MOA Regional Marketing Orgs and Buyers (both local and overseas), to enhance effective delivery of services by the SLMB; (for example, prod. contracting, input supply, farm mngmt and training in post harvest handling);
(2) Establishment of a comprehensive produce marketing network, based on adequate market intelligence, and with the capability to absorb commercial agricultural production, for both local distribution and export;
(3) Expansion of the range and quantity of local output through the promotion of new agricultural commodities for export, while exploring new markets locally and overseas;
(4) Bulk purchasing of planting materials and inputs for sale to farmers at reasonable margins, in collaboration with other regional Marketing Boards;
(5) Facilitating improvement in standards of production and final product, through the use of suitable packaging material, and post harvest facilities, and provision of training for farmers and produce handlers;
(6) Provision of technical and facilitatory services (such as training, research and current, relevant market information) to farmers and other stakeholders to guide production planning, marketing activities and maximization of sector earnings;
(7) Assistance in the marketing of locally produced agro products.
In order to pursue these initiatives, the capacity of the SLMB needs to be substantially enhanced. This project therefore seeks to strengthen the SLMB, while streamlining its operations towards for full commercialization and privatization”.